New Jersey Congressman Announces His Retirement

In a major blow to New Jersey's influence here, Representative Matthew J. Rinaldo, the moderate Republican who was expected to become the dean of the state's Congressional delegation next year, today announced his retirement.

Mr. Rinaldo, who was renowned for bucking his party and President Bush on behalf of New Jersey, said he had decided to retire because he was frustrated after two decades in the minority and wanted to give his successor a head start in accruing seniority.

"There is no Republican now serving in the House of Representatives who has ever chaired a committee, gaveled a hearing to order, or scheduled a bill for debate on the House floor," he said in a three-page statement announcing his retirement. "Unfortunately, I do not foresee any prospect of that changing in the near term."

Mr. Rinaldo, 61 years old, also noted that staying for one or two more terms would have handicapped his successor by making the next representative from the district junior to anyone elected this year. "Entering after the largest freshman class in memory, my successor might be crowded out of a major committee assignment," he said. "That would not be good for the Seventh District or New Jersey."

Mr. Rinaldo's announcement, which stunned members of his staff, is a major setback for the state's delegation. Next year, it will return weaker than it has been at any time in at least two decades, one person smaller because of reapportionment and with a handful of senior members. Barring the unforeseen, the delegation will not have a single chairmanship.

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Mr. Rinaldo's retirement adds to the upheaval reverberating through the House in the wake of voter dissatisfaction with incumbents, a problem made worse by the House checking scandal, and because legislators themselves are disillusioned with what they can accomplish. So far, more than 100 Representatives have announced their retirement or have been defeated in primaries, insuring the greatest turnover in the House since World War II.

But few states will suffer a sharper decline in influence than New Jersey, which receives less money per capita from the Federal Government than almost any other state. In addition to Mr. Rinaldo, a 20-year veteran, Robert A. Roe, Frank J. Guarini and Bernard J. Dwyer have all announced their retirement.

Mr. Rinaldo, who is completing his 10th term, is the ranking minority member of the Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he helped shaped the debate over children's television programming, and has been a leader in the effort to strengthen the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Correction:

An article yesterday about Rep. Matthew J. Rinaldo, Republican of New Jersey, described his departure from Congress incorrectly in some copies. He announced that he would not seek re-election; he did not resign.

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A version of this article appears in print on September 12, 1992, on Page 1001026 of the National edition with the headline: New Jersey Congressman Announces His Retirement. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe